5 Exercise Apps to Stay in Shape During Pregnancy
Generally, exercising to stay in shape during pregnancy is highly recommended, unless there’s some kind of health problem. A good way to stay fit during pregnancy is to use one of the many exercise apps designed specifically for this stage.
Moderate exercise can be good for both mother and fetus. In addition, in many cases, it can alleviate some of the discomforts associated with pregnancy, such as back pain and leg cramps.
In any case, before engaging in any type of physical activity, it’s important to consult your gynecologist or midwife. This is advisable both in the case of women who exercised before pregnancy and those who start doing so as a result of their new condition.
Exercise apps to stay in shape during pregnancy
There’s a wide variety and a great number of exercise apps to help you stay in shape during pregnancy. Many of them are free and, in addition, offer very promising solutions. Here are some of the best ones.
Kegel Trainer by Olson Applications Ltd.
Kegel exercises are highly recommended to prevent pelvic floor problems that can result from pregnancy and childbirth.
This app, which has paid options, includes easy-to-follow sessions and daily reminders to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles without too much effort. All sessions last between 30 seconds and three minutes. In addition, the app can be customized for visual, audio, or vibration cues to guide the exercises.
This app is available in English and Spanish for iOS and Android.
Prenatal Yoga, by Down Dog
Down Dog is a Yoga app with several programs, including one that’s specifically designed for performing during pregnancy. It’s available for free with in-app purchases. This app has general workouts so you stay fit and maintain elasticity through non-impact exercises. It also allows you to choose the intensity, which area you want to work on, and the duration of the session.
This app includes customized routines for each trimester of pregnancy, with special yoga positions that can stretch the lower back to relieve pressure. It also features specific exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor and lower body muscles for giving birth.
This app’s available for iOS and Android and can be set up in multiple languages, including English and Spanish.
Prenatal & Postnatal Workout, by Power 20, to stay in shape during pregnancy
This app includes daily workouts designed for pregnant women, organized by trimester. Each workout lasts only 20 minutes and adapts to the stage of pregnancy you’re in. It has in-app purchases.
This app’s available for iOS and Android.
Baby2Body: Pregnancy Wellness
This is a comprehensive app with exercise ideas, meditation practices, and recipes to use during pregnancy. It also includes recipes and exercises you can try after delivery. It includes some free features, although the premium subscription offers more personalized workouts, meditations, and articles written by experts.
This app’s available only in English for iOS and for Android. You can try the app for free on a one-week trial period.
Aaptiv: Fitness for Everyone
The Aaptiv: Fitness for Everyone app, includes a maternity exercise program called Move Through Maternity. This program includes workouts for the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. There are also workouts to do after delivery.
The program incorporates multiple exercise formats, different trainers, and training methods. It uses a signature one-on-one personal coaching style to provide that extra motivation to stay healthy and strong during pregnancy.
The program includes exercises you can perform safely and effectively during the second and third trimester of pregnancy following this 27-week program, beginning at week 13 and concluding at week 40. Each week offers three workouts on the app that include a combination of cardio and strength-training exercises.
It’s available only in English for iOS and Android.
Regarding apps to stay in shape during pregnancy…
Finally, we must remember the importance of consulting a doctor before starting any exercise program. In addition, pregnant women who haven’t exercised before or who are faced with a new type of exercise should seek professional advice to perform it correctly.
Never lose sight of the fact the exercises suggested by the various apps are potentially appropriate, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t be harmful. Not because of the exercise itself, but because of the way you execute it. A poorly performed exercise can be very harmful.